Morning journal and courier., 1887-10-15
FREE-FOR-ALL.


FREE-FoR-ALL.
The free for-all was the most exciting race
of the whole three days meeting. Those
who had put their money in the pool box on
the favorites were astonished. Westminster
Girl was the favorite against the field. It
was in the third heat that an accident occur
red that worked the spectators into a high
state of excitement. The pool box fairly
trembled after the first heat with the amount
of money in it. Five heats were trotted, but
this did not decide the race.
First observation-disclosures Girl was the ia
vorite. She won the heat handily. Winnie
Wick closed the daylight between them on
the homestretch, and worked hard to pass
her, but could not.
Second health this heat the favorite was
beaten. 1t was very pretty race for first
place between Westchester Girl and Winnie
Wick The latter passed under the line half
length ahead.
Third heat-Westchester Girl was still the
first choice in the pools and sold for $25; the
field brought about the same. Those who
took the field placed their hope on Winnie
down and finally got good start. Just as
they got to the first turn there was crash
and before anyone could realize what had
really happened they saw the spokes of the
outside wheel of Westchester Girls sulky fly
ing in all directions. Ed Doty was driving
linglaw, who was driving Nutwood, collided
with him. 1t was an impossibility for the
latter toavoid doing what he did. Westminster
Girl had second position and Nutwood third.
Then occurred sight which struck terror
to the hearts of all who saw it. With one
wheel and nothing but the bare hub on the
outside and Doty holding on with pluck
which seemed almost like foolhardiness West
chester Girl kept on. He was SO low that it
brought him behind the Girls feet. Nearly
every time she raised them she struck him.
At the opening of the backstretch he threw
his feet into the air and completed back
somersault which landed him on the track.
He lay for an instant as if unconscious; then
raising his head slightly and seeing the trot
ter coming around the track again he made
heroic effort and dragged himself from the
track by the aid of his hands. Then he
dropped himself and writhed in agony and
pain His weight had broken the outside thill
loose from the harness and as it kept hitting
the Girls hind leg it aggravated her. She
started on wild gallop. At the half she had
the pole, but steered for the outside and the
loose thill high in the air, struck several
horses which were hitched to the fence. One
New Haven horse had his nose badly skinned.
The affair had caused SO much excitement
that no one was watching the race between
the other three horses. At the last turn the
Girl caught up with the others. Shillinglaw
reached back and hit her on the head to keep
her back 80 that she would not break up the
race entirely. She came down the homestrerch
and passed under the wire on run in second
place amid the cheers of the crowd. Her in
stinct seemed to tell her that the race was
over, for she was easily caught. Doty had
been picked up and taken to the stables
where he was attended to. He was badly
bruised, and was unable to stand. He
complained of his back and his legs, and
said that he was also kicked in the stomach
1t was lucky escape from fatal injury. 1t
was found that Westchester Girls leg was
so badly cut she could hardly step with it.
If Doty, or rather the owner of Westchester
Girl, had done as he was told the night be-
fore the accident would have been averted.
The sulky was weak and not fit for a race.
Fourth heat-As Westchester Girl had
been drawn there was lively rush to the
pool box by those who had put their money
on Westchester Girl They put more money
in 30 as to even up. Their choice was Win
ME Wick. Here again was another surprise,
for Nutwood, jr., came in first Winnie took
the lead, but at the quarter broke, and fell
behind. At the finish Winnie and Convoy
(who was driven by John Doty, father of the
one who was driving Westchester GirD were
neck and neck, and neither one was given
second place, it being declared dead heat.
Fifth heat-Things in the pools took an
other tuln. Nutwood was now the favorite.
When this heat was called it was nearly
dark, and the horses could hardly be dis
tinguished on the backstretch. TWAS an ex
citing race, Nutwood winning, with Convoy
second.
The race was then postponed until ten
o'clock this morning. It will be remember
ed that John Doty had the same experience
with Westchester Girl at Hamilton Park last
year.
Westchester Girl, bl m, Frank Taylor. | DIR